Upgrading from a Rebel T3i to T6s~Upgrade the lens? Wildlife shooting is the goal.

Woody W. wrote:

SeeTheWorld wrote:

Ebrahim Saadawi wrote:

SeeTheWorld wrote:

I'm a hobbyist who shoots landscapes, macro and wildlife. I'm about to upgrade the T3i to T6s. I like the swivel touch-screen and higher megapixels. So the question is, do I also upgrade the lens? I'm planning to keep my 10-22 mm for landscapes, and I have the original 70-300 f4-5.6 mm non-L, which I took to Africa for some nice wildlife shots. In three weeks we head to Yellowstone where I hope to get some great wildlife opportunities. With the higher megapixels of the new camera I'll be able to crop more, so I don't think I need more than a 300 mm. But, would the upgrade in camera warrant an upgrade in lens? Should I also upgrade the 70-300 f4-5.6 lens to the 70-300 f4-5.6 L?

Thank you and Happy New Year!

As someone who went the rebel upgrade pathway from the 12mp T3 to 18mp T5i to 24mp T6s, I can tell you, it's not much of a difference in real life actual end results of image quality. All these cameras priduce sharp, detailed pictures I can crop in. The T3 is a bit less but the difference between 18mp and 24mp is simply invisible to me. You'll be disappointed if upgrading for that reason.

In fact, all my upgrades are disappointing and I ended up with 3 cameras that are identical with some tweaks here and there, it's the lens in front of them that CHANGES the image.

For a Body upgrade I only found the 70D (and 80D) to be the impressive jumps. Thess bodies are extraordinary. Perfect size, more substantial, more rugged and reassuring, more ergonomic, faster and snappier, perfect body between huge 5D/7D shells and rebel plastic shells, and it's not really that heavier that the rebels.

1- So I do not advice upgrading from a rebel to a rebel.

2- Unless you want a B-camera: then get the cheapest rebel because they really are the same. A great deal on a T5/6 or T5i as a second body is best.

3- If you'll spend for an ''upgrade", go for a 70D/80D to feel the jump.

You have a t3i which is as good as rebels/IQ gets, and have the landscape end covered with the great 11-22mm.

IMHO you just need a new Tele for wildlife.

The old 70-300mm you've got is one of my least favourite lenses, image sharpness and quality at 300mm looking 1:1 are just never satisfactory.

My newly found tele is the smart 55-250mm STM version. Which performs in sharpness identically to the 70-200mm 2.8 IS II!! It's a freaking SHARP little lens and trumps the 70-300mm on a rebel, more cropability and nicer image and HUGE weight reduction from more than 700 grams to about 350, because it's made to only cover your sensor, not a FF one you don't use. Hence they can make the tele smaller and sharper.

I suggest getting that lens swapping the 70-300. That will make a bigger difference than a t6s. You'll find sharper, steadier, higher quality telephoto shots satisfactory at 1:1 viewing and cropping.

And the t6s is getting a replacement about this month with a t7s 24mp Dual Pixel AF sensor which at least warrants an upgrade for high dynamic range of the 80D sensor at least, an IQ improvement for landscape photography that can be seen in REAL LIFE.

After the 55-250mm came to the country, All my wildlife and sports photographers friends are using the 7D Mark II + 55-250mm combo. And those who do lowlight have the 7D Mark II + 70-200mm f/2.8 IS combo.

So a new tele? a 55-250mm STM IS.

A second body? a great deal on a T5/T5i to put the tele on and keep the wide on the t3i.

Want a BODY UPGRADE to feel and see? 70D deal. Or wait for the t7s.

That's my advice and it comes from lots of money lost in FF lenses and rebels.

(The newest 70-300mm IS II tele is probably great too but again you pay and carry FF circle while there's a small one available for you at half the weight and cost)

I will certainly check out that lens. Your thoughts on the cameras makes good sense too. I was getting the impression there isn't a notable impact when going to a T6s from T3i. I need to make certain there's a swivel screen on whichever camera I end up with. Thank you for sharing your well-considered opinion.

The impact can be quite noticeable, but it depends upon what weaknesses you find with your current kit. For example:

• AF flexibility is substantially better going to the T6i/s than in previous generations (it is essentially the same module as the 7D).
• If you're lens-limited, the 33% difference in resolution won't be noticeable, but if you are sensor limited it probably will be.
• You will get somewhat better low-light and dynamic range performance, but again, unless you were pushing the limits on your T3i, you probably won't notice.
• On the T6s, you also get the secondary control dial, which can help with quick adjustments.

If none of these are impacting your current usage, then the incremental upgrades may be far outweighed by just getting better glass.

On the other hand, the T3i is probably getting a bit "long in tooth", and failure is always an option that becomes more likely as time goes by. So even if you are generally happy with it, an upgrade wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing.

The timing, however, is a big question mark. There is general consensus that the next generation is right around the corner, and so all of the incremental improvements above are likely to improve again. But will it come in time for your big Yellowstone adventure? Or, as the current generation becomes the "previous" generation, you'll start seeing more sales and be able to get that upgrade from your current state for that much less.

I hear what you're saying about incremental improvements.  My skills do not push the T3i to existing limits.  Therefore, I chose not to get the T6s and wait to see how little long I can get my existing camera and lenses to work.  Basically, after six months of research I decided to do absolutely nothing to update my current situation.  Instead, I'm practicing doing Custom White Balance quickly and choosing the best way to carry the current equipment.  We have six days until leaving for Yellowstone and I'm charging four batteries since they wear down more quickly in the cold.  I am also bringing my Sony PowerShot in case of emergencies.  It has no real zoom capabilities, but takes great landscape and indoor shots.

Thank you for continuing the discussion.  I've learned from the great input I got from my question. I'm interested to see the next Rebel generation.  When the T3i wears out, I'll make the change.